Content Advisory: This article discusses political criticism, media cancellation, corporate controversy, and public attacks between Donald Trump and late-night figures. Reader discretion is advised.
Donald Trump is not letting Stephen Colbert leave late night quietly.
Colbert’s final episode of ‘The Late Show’ is set to air Thursday night, ending CBS’ long-running late-night franchise after 33 years. The network has promised an extended send-off, though guests and the final run time have not yet been revealed.
When Trump was asked Wednesday about the show coming to an end, he gave a short but pointed answer. “I’ll have a message at a later date,” Trump said. For Trump, who has spent years trading public shots with Colbert, the response was unusually restrained. It also made clear he may not be done talking about the host.
White House Takes Shot At Colbert
A White House spokesman was far less quiet.
When asked for comment, David Ingle ripped into Colbert and claimed CBS canceled the show because of ratings. “Stephen Colbert is a pathetic trainwreck with no talent and terrible ratings,” Ingle said, adding that this was why CBS was “booting him off the airwaves.”
CBS announced the cancellation last July, just days after Colbert criticized Paramount, the network’s parent company. The host had taken aim at Paramount over its $16 million settlement with Trump tied to allegations that ‘60 Minutes’ deceptively edited a 2024 interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Some CBS staffers reportedly viewed the cancellation as part of a broader political pressure campaign tied to Trump and Paramount.
Springsteen Defends Colbert On Final Week
Colbert’s final week has drawn major guests and political commentary.
On Wednesday’s episode, Bruce Springsteen appeared and defended Colbert while criticizing Paramount owners Larry and David Ellison. “I am here tonight in support of Stephen, because you’re the first guy in America who’s lost his show because we’ve got a president who can’t take a joke,” Springsteen said.
He also accused the Ellisons of trying to please Trump to get what they wanted. Springsteen then performed an acoustic version of his protest song ‘Streets Of Minneapolis’.
Colbert Already Has His Next Move
‘The Late Show’ franchise began in 1993 with David Letterman before Colbert took over in 2015.
After leaving late night, Colbert is expected to move into a very different kind of project. Peter Jackson revealed in March that Colbert will write a new ‘Lord Of The Rings’ film currently titled ‘The Lord Of The Rings: Shadow Of The Past’. That announcement gave Colbert’s post-CBS future a surprising turn.
Still, his final night at ‘The Late Show’ came with the White House attacking his ratings, and supporters calling the cancellation political.
